UN calls for investigation into Wonduruba clashes

JUBA – The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is calling for an investigation into recent clashes between former allies of General Thomas Cirilo, which left 24 people dead, including 19 civilians, in the Wonduruba administrative payam.

On Wednesday, former National Salvation Front (NAS) member General Kenyi Warrior, who has defected to the ruling party, SPLM, clashed with an NAS splinter group allied to Kenyi Loburon in Logoko Boma killing at least 20 including 10 civilians.

In a press statement today, UNMISS said these incidents allegedly involved attacks and counterattacks between former members of the National Salvation Front (NAS) and took place in two locations—Wonduruba and Ganji.

Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, expressed deep concern about the series of violent clashes in Central Equatoria state.

“I am deeply concerned by these brutal acts and urgently call on the Government of South Sudan to conduct an immediate investigation to bring perpetrators to justice swiftly,” said Haysom.

“Protection of civilians is paramount and must be respected at all times. There is no justification for the extrajudicial killing of civilians. International human rights law sets down clear rules, and all parties must abide by it,” Haysom added.

UNMISS has intensified patrols across Central Equatoria and is engaging with state and local authorities as well as community leaders to access the area and prevent further escalations.

According to reports, the clashes happened on Wednesday immediately after Central Equatoria State Governor General Augustino Jadalla Wani, who had just embarked on a county tour, left the area.

Locals told Sudans Post on yesterday that Kenyi Warrior’s vehicle fell into an ambush while on his way to Lainya to procure medicine for his wounded soldiers, and his vehicles were destroyed. This allegedly prompted Warrior to wage a systematic attack on civilians, killing 10.

Central Equatoria State Minister of Peace Building and Acting Minister of Information and Communication Gerald David described the incident as “an absurd act of violence and cowardice targeting of innocent civilians.”

“The Government of Central Equatoria expresses its deepest sorrow and condemnation over the horrific massacre,” the minister said in a statement seen by Sudans Post.

“This heinous act, which occurred, is a grave violation of rights and a threat to peace and stability of the people of Central Equatoria State and South Sudan as a whole and will not go unabated,” he added.

According to the statement, the attackers shot at unarmed youth while some were hacked to death by machetes.

Amule Jongolose, an MP representing Wonduruba in the national Assembly, condemned the clashes, calling them “barbaric” and a “massacre” against innocent civilians.

“We therefore urge the national government and CES government to investigate and bring those perpetrators to book and justice immediately,” he stated.

The legislator called on the army to ensure equal protection and treatment rights for all citizens and to investigate violations.

“I know that the governor’s tour of six countries and Wonduruba administrative Payam had been disorganized with this unfortunate, tragic killings and harm inflicted upon innocent youth/citizens of CES,” Jongolose noted.